FREE ESSAY ON AMPHITRYON

AMPHITRYON

Amphitryon
The play Amphitryon, by Plautus, revolves around a small circle of characters. The major
roles in the play are those of Amphitryon, Jove, and Alcamena. Two slightly lesser roles,
though of equal importance, are those of Mercury and Sosia. These two characters act as
main intermediaries for their masters. This is one of the similarities I found in their
roles. However, I also found many differences in these two characters. I believe the
roles of Mercury and Sosia to both be important ones, with similarities as well as
differences, which can be clearly seen in their relationships with their masters, the
audience, and Alcamena as well.
I think that both Sosia and Mercury respect their masters. Although in the beginning,
both characters complain about being servants. Sosia says, "No easy job, this serving a
millionaire; A rich man's servant leads a lousy life. All his nights and days it's just a
constant strife"(7). This quote shows early in the play Sosia's displeasure in being a
servant. Mercury complains about his service to Jove as well. When he hears Sosia
complain he states, "Hey, I'm the one who should complain that way! Till Papa pressed me
into service today I'd no idea what slavery meant. Now, he's been used to being a
slave."(8). Despite these complaints about slavery, I think both of them enjoy serving
their masters but for different reasons. Early in the play Sosia tells the audience of
how his master "led us like a wonder"(9). He refers to the victory in battle Amphitryon
had over the Thebans. I believe that Sosia is rather proud of his service to Amphitryon
and respects his master's nobility and bravery. Mercury also shows signs of respect for
Jove, his master and father. Mercury, the patron god of thieves, enjoys playing tricks
and causing mischief. I believe this to be the reason he enjoys helping his father in
this situation. Jove is playing one big joke on everyone, and Mercury likes this very
much. Of his father he says, " A smooth operator, this one here. And why not? He's my
father. Watch how he's going to butter the girl up."(25). In different ways, I can see
how Mercury and Sosia are very similar in respect to their masters.
Differences between Mercury and Sosia arise in their dealings with the audience. I think
that these characters' monologues to the audience give insight into their personality.
Sosia's dealings with the audience make him out to be a coward as well as a fool. When
Sosia hears Mercury talking of harming someone coming his way, Sosia cowers to the
audience and says, "I'm so scared, I'm numb all over!"(16). When Sosia gathers enough
courage to confront Mercury, the god easily convinces him that he is not himself. Sosia
says to the audience, "He's convinced me. I'll have to find another name!"(22). In almost
all his dealings with the audience, Sosia is baffled and dumb struck. The audience knows
what is happening so Sosia is made out to be a dumb character. Conversely, Mercury's
dealings with the audience show him to be a cunning trickster. Being a god, Mercury has
everything planned out and reveals his plans to the audience. On scarring away Sosia, he
says to the audience, "this job went off very nicely"(24). Mercury's monologues to the
audience are almost like narration as he tells them what happens and what will happen.
Enjoying this chaos he helped create, he says to the audience:
"I'll get both of them all mixed up and drive them and Amphitryon's whole household
crazy, until Father's had enough of his inamorata. Then, when it's all over, they'll all
find out what happened, and Jove at the end will restore Alcamena and her husband to
their former married bliss"(24).
In this quote, Mercury basically describes the rest of the play to the audience; most of
whom, I believe already knew the story.
Another difference between the characters of Mercury and Sosia deals with each characters
handling of Alcamena, wife of Amphitryon. When Mercury acts as Sosia, he has minimal
dealings with Alcamena. I think his opinion towards her is amusement in the role she
plays in his and his father's game. He says chuckling, "Didn't I tell you he'd do this? A
little buttering up, and he has the poor girl eating out of his hand"(26). Amused by his
father's skill in seducing women, Mercury even tries to help. When Jove gives Alcamena
the gold cup as a gift Mercury says to her, "Say rather a wonderful gift as wonderful as
the getter"(27). While Mercury treats Alcamena with amusement, Sosia regards her sourly.
He thinks she's crazy because he knows nothing of the tricks the gods are playing. At
first he thinks she's gone crazy because she claims she's seen him even though she
hasn't. He says to Amphitryon, "Don't you understand? If you try to say no to a madwoman,
you'll make the crazy thing crazier..."(38). His being unaware of the tricks, causes him
to treats her rather crudely because he believes her to be crazy. This is another main
difference I see in the characters of Sosia and Amphitryon.
I believe that by examining the relationships of Mercury and Sosia with other characters
in the play, I was more able to clearly explore their relationships. After examining
these relations I believe that Mercury and Sosia are indeed more different than they are
alike. The reason for this could be that one character has godly powers, but maybe not.
Mercury seems to be just as common and scheming as any man.